Can Keratin Peptides Support Eyelash and Eyebrow Growth?

Who doesn’t want naturally long, lush eyelashes and full brows? Unfortunately, lashes and brows can thin over time for many, with a variety of underlying reasons. While eyelash extensions, lengthening mascaras, and other temporary measures can help, achieving them naturally depends on more than just topical serums. Increasingly, research and user experience point to the potential benefits of internal nutrition, particularly oral keratin peptides (such as those found in OMI Hair Growth Peptides) in supporting the structure and resilience of hair from within.

While keratin and collagen peptides are best known for improving scalp hair strength and growth, emerging evidence suggests they may also play a role in enhancing the health and appearance of lashes and brows. Here, we’ll explain how these delicate hair follicles differ from scalp hair, and how they interact with keratin peptides for hair growth. 

Understanding the Difference Between Scalp, Eyelash, and Eyebrow Follicles

All hair follicles share a similar overall structure, but the follicles that produce scalp hair, eyelashes, and eyebrows behave differently. This determines how each type of hair growth occurs, how long each strand can get, and how they responds to both internal and external treatments, like keratin or collagen peptides.

Scalp hair follicles are the most active and long-lived. Each scalp hair goes through a growth cycle that can last several years, which explains how fast and long scalp hair grows before it naturally sheds. This extended growth period, known as the anagen phase, allows for continuous hair lengthening over time. Scalp hair follicles are also highly responsive to hormones such as testosterone and dihydrotestosterone, which can affect hair thickness, texture, and growth rate. In some people, these same hormones can contribute to hair thinning or loss. Scalp hair follicles also contain a small muscle called the arrector pili, which is responsible for the “goosebump” effect when hair stands upright.

Eyelash follicles, by comparison, are much smaller and follow a much shorter hair growth cycle. The anagen phase for eyelashes typically lasts between four and ten weeks, after which the hair stops growing and eventually sheds before being replaced by a new lash. This shorter cycle is why eyelashes don’t grow beyond a certain length. Eyelash follicles also don’t contain the arrector pili muscle, and they serve a primarily protective function by keeping dust, debris, and sweat away from the eyes. On a biochemical level, eyelash follicles contain different pigment-producing cells and keratin proteins than scalp follicles, which give lashes their characteristic thickness, curve, and darker color. They’re also less sensitive to hormonal changes, which is why lashes tend to retain their color and density even as people age.

Eyebrow follicles fall between scalp and eyelash follicles in terms of their biological behavior. The eyebrow hair growth phase for eyebrows usually lasts a few months, allowing the hairs to reach a moderate length before entering the resting and shedding phases. Eyebrow hairs are typically coarser and thicker than eyelashes, and they grow in a specific directional pattern that creates the natural arch and definition of the brow. Like eyelashes, eyebrow follicles are less affected by hormonal fluctuations and tend to maintain their density throughout life. Functionally, eyebrows play both a protective and expressive role by diverting sweat and moisture away from the eyes and enhancing expressions.

At the microscopic level, there are additional differences in how these hair follicles are structured and function. Stem cells, keratin-producing cells, and pigment-forming enzymes are distributed differently in scalp, eyelash, and eyebrow follicles. For instance, some enzymes involved in pigmentation and follicle regeneration are active in eyelash follicles but not in scalp follicles. These molecular distinctions explain why treatments designed for scalp hair growth may not produce the same results when trying to get healthier eyelashes or eyebrows.

While all hair follicles share the same basic architecture, they’re uniquely adapted to their specific functions. Scalp hair is designed for long-term, continuous growth, eyelashes protect the eyes, and eyebrows define facial symmetry and expression. Understanding these biological differences helps explain why some treatments, such as oral keratin peptides, can improve the strength, resilience, and overall appearance of lashes and brows, even if they don’t extend their growth in the same way they affect scalp hair.

Understanding How Eyelashes and Eyebrows Grow

Do eyelashes and eyebrows grow back? The short answer is yes, usually within a few weeks to a couple of months, but there’s a lot more happening below the surface.

Eyelash and eyebrow follicles may look similar to scalp hair follicles under a microscope, but biologically they function quite differently. Each type of follicle follows its own rhythm of growth, rest, and renewal, known as the hair cycle. The active growth phase, called the anagen phase, determines how long a hair can grow before it stops elongating and eventually sheds.

Scalp hairs remain in anagen for several years, with this long hair growth phase they reach a much greater length than the rest of the hair in your body. Eyelashes and eyebrows have much shorter anagen phases, typically lasting only a few weeks to a few months. This shorter cycle naturally limits how long these hairs can grow, meaning even healthy eyebrows and lashes remain relatively short compared to scalp hair.

Eyelash and eyebrow follicles are also less responsive to hormonal influences, such as androgens, which significantly affect scalp and beard growth. They also lack the aforementioned arrector pili muscle. In addition, these follicles contain unique pigment-producing cells and specialized stem cell populations that regulate how the hairs regenerate and maintain color.

These biological differences mean that treatments or nutrients that benefit scalp hair may not have identical effects on lashes and brows. Understanding this distinction is essential when evaluating how oral supplements such as OMI Hair Growth Peptides, and how they might influence these delicate follicles.

How Keratin Peptides Work in the Body

Keratin is the primary protein that gives structure, strength, and resilience to hair, skin, and nails. Keratin peptides are smaller, bioactive fragments derived from keratin through a process called hydrolysis, which breaks the protein into forms the body can absorb and utilize more efficiently. When taken orally, these peptides pass through the digestive tract and are absorbed into the bloodstream, allowing them to reach the skin and follicular tissues from within.

Once circulating in the body, keratin peptides interact with the extracellular matrix (ECM), a network of proteins that supports the cells surrounding each hair follicle. The ECM plays a crucial role in maintaining the strength and integrity of the follicular environment. Peptides have been shown to stimulate the synthesis of collagen type IV, laminin, and other structural components that reinforce this matrix. Collagen type IV forms part of the basement membrane surrounding the follicle, creating a physical and biochemical bridge between the dermis and the cells responsible for hair growth.

By enhancing collagen and ECM production, orally ingested keratin peptides may help strengthen this protective “shield” around the hair follicle, improving both nutrient exchange and follicular stability. This environment supports healthier follicle function, which in turn promotes stronger, higher-quality hair fibers, including those of the eyelashes and eyebrows.

In addition to supporting the follicular matrix, keratin peptides appear to influence the dermal papilla, a small cluster of cells located at the base of each follicle. The dermal papilla regulates hair growth signals, determines how long a hair remains in the growth phase, and communicates with surrounding cells to control hair thickness and quality. Peptides that reach this area may help maintain dermal papilla vitality and improve the signaling processes that guide healthy follicle behavior.

Supporting the Hair Fiber from Within

While follicle support is essential, keratin peptides also have direct effects on the hair fiber itself. Hair fibers are composed primarily of keratin and keratin-associated proteins that interlink to form a strong yet flexible structure. Over time, environmental exposure, styling, and oxidative stress can weaken these proteins, making hair appear brittle or dull.

By increasing the body’s supply of keratin-building components, oral keratin peptides help reinforce these structures from within. They can enhance the expression of keratin-related genes and promote stronger protein bonding within the hair shaft, improving tensile strength and elasticity. This means that each lash or brow hair is better able to resist breakage and maintain its smooth surface and natural shine.

As a result, eyelashes and eyebrows may appear fuller and glossier, not because new hairs are forming, but because the existing hairs are healthier, thicker, and more resilient. This effect is similar to improving the quality of a fabric rather than increasing the number of threads, it’s a reinforcement process that enhances appearance and longevity.

What We Know About Keratin and Collagen Peptides

The biological mechanisms behind keratin peptides are well established in both laboratory and clinical studies of scalp hair and skin. These studies show that oral peptide supplementation can increase collagen synthesis, improve dermal density, and enhance hair fiber quality. However, specific research examining eyelash and eyebrow follicles remains limited.

Because lash and brow follicles grow on shorter cycles and have unique molecular controls, it is still uncertain whether oral keratin peptides can extend their growth phase or directly stimulate new eyelash and eyebrow growth. What is clear is that these peptides improve the surrounding follicular environment and enhance the structure of existing hair fibers. This provides a strong scientific foundation for their use as supportive agents for lash and brow health, even if they are not proven growth stimulants.

In essence, oral keratin peptides may not create new follicles, but they help the follicles you already have perform better. By nourishing the tissues that support each hair, they promote optimal conditions for healthy, vibrant, and more visually defined eyelashes and eyebrows.

Real-World Results and Observations

While more research is needed to confirm their clinical effects, user experiences with OMI Hair Growth Peptides are consistently positive. Many people notice visible improvements in the texture, density, and overall appearance of their eyelashes and eyebrows after 90 days of daily use, and this is in addition to the significant decrease in hair loss and increase in the hair growth cycle.

Users often describe their lashes as appearing darker and more lustrous, with less shedding and breakage. Eyebrows may feel thicker and better defined, helping to frame the face naturally. These changes are likely the result of enhanced follicular nutrition, improved protein synthesis, and stronger keratin fiber formation.

Unlike topical treatments that act only on the surface, oral keratin peptides work from within, delivering amino acids and bioactive compounds to the skin and follicles through the bloodstream. This internal approach ensures that the nutrients reach the root of the problem, literally strengthening the follicle at its base. Over time, this can lead to eyelashes and brows that look healthier, stay intact longer, and better withstand environmental or cosmetic stressors.

The Takeaway 

OMI Hair Growth Peptides represent a scientifically grounded way to enhance the quality and resilience of eyelashes and eyebrows. These peptides help reinforce the collagen network and extracellular matrix that support each hair follicle, encourage healthy dermal papilla function, and improve the synthesis of keratin proteins that give hair its structure and shine.

While there is no clinical evidence yet that oral keratin peptides directly stimulate new eyelash or eyebrow growth, the mechanisms they influence are consistent with stronger, healthier, and more vibrant existing hair. This makes them a powerful complement to topical lash and brow treatments, providing deep nourishment that supports beauty from the inside out.

For those seeking to enhance the natural fullness and definition of their lashes and brows, oral keratin peptides offer a gentle yet effective solution. By improving the biological environment that supports hair growth, these peptides promote visible improvements in strength, texture, and overall appearance over time, helping you maintain naturally beautiful lashes and brows with lasting vitality.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can ingestible keratin peptides make my eyelashes and eyebrows grow longer?

Current research does not show that keratin peptides directly increase lash or brow length, but they can improve the strength, resilience, and overall appearance of existing hairs.

Can I use OMI Hair Growth Peptides together with a topical lash or brow serum?

Yes, combining OMI Hair Growth Peptide, an oral keratin peptide, with a topical product may offer complementary benefits by nourishing follicles internally while supporting hair quality externally.

How long does it take to see results from OMI Hair Growth Peptides?

Most users begin noticing improvements in hair strength, shine, and fullness within eight to twelve weeks of consistent daily use.

How long do eyebrows take to grow back?

Eyebrow hairs typically take about three to four months to grow back fully, depending on the individual’s hair cycle and overall health.

How long does it take for eyelashes to grow?

Eyelashes generally take six to twelve weeks to grow back after shedding, since their natural growth cycle is much shorter than scalp hair.

How can I grow my eyelashes?

Consistent care using nourishing serums, gentle cleansing, and supportive nutrition such as oral keratin peptides can help lashes grow stronger and appear fuller over time.

How can I grow my eyebrows?

Maintaining a balanced diet, avoiding over-plucking, applying targeted brow serums, and supporting internal follicle health with nutrients like keratin peptides can encourage thicker, healthier brows.

How can I get healthier eyebrows?

Regular hydration, gentle grooming, avoiding harsh cosmetics, and ensuring adequate protein and peptide intake can improve eyebrow strength, texture, and shine.